RAF FAIRFORD, UK, July 8, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. company, a $1.5 billion low rate initial production (LRIP) contract for the tenth lot of F135 propulsion systems to power all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Combined with previous long lead and sustainment awards for this lot, the LRIP 10 contract now totals $1.95 billion. This tenth LRIP contract will cover 99 total engines, as well as program management, engineering support, production non-recurring efforts, spare modules and spare parts.
Credit: Lockheed Martin
“The propulsion system team has kept their word in delivering on their price reduction commitments for the F135 propulsion system, which is critical to making the F-35 more affordable for the U.S. military and our allies,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 program executive officer. “Now that we are ramping up production with increased volume from Pratt & Whitney and from their global supply chain, the program is really gaining momentum.”
Compared to the previous LRIP production contract, unit prices for 86 conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) and carrier variant (CV) propulsion systems were reduced by 2.6 percent, and unit prices for 13 LRIP 10 short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) propulsion systems, including Rolls-Royce Lift Systems, were reduced by 4.2 percent.
“Pratt & Whitney and our supply base remain focused on delivering the F135 propulsion system to the warfighter at or below the cost targets established in 2009 for our U.S. and international customers,” said Mark Buongiorno, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Program. “This agreement for the next lot of F135 engines continues to drive down costs, and we intend to keep up this momentum as we transition from the War on Cost initiative and continue to pursue cost saving opportunities.”
Credit: Lockheed Martin
Since 2009, Pratt & Whitney has reduced the cost of the common CTOL and CV F135 engines by half, and the STOVL propulsion system by nearly 35 percent. The U.S. Government has also invested in improvements to F135 affordability. Combined, the Pratt & Whitney and U.S. Government investments since 2009 are projected to yield approximately $7.5 billion in savings over the decades-long life of the F-35 program.
To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered 288 F135 production engines, and deliveries of LRIP 10 engines will start in 2017. With the anticipated delivery of engine 300 later this year, targeted investments and design enhancements will continue to drive additional cost savings for the F-35 program.
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